Copyright 2005 Mike LawIf you work from home, chances are you already know that you’re really pulling “double duty”. You probably work on your business while doing
laundry, corralling kids, or fixing dinner... and let’s not forget all phone calls from family and friends expecting you to run errands or just "go out" for an afternoon of fun.
One of hardest parts of running a home business is separating your work from your family and social life. Here are six proven ways to keep your home life running smoothly while keeping your business on track.
1. First, create a work schedule and stick with it. It may be tempting to answer personal calls during day or take business calls after-hours, but doing this actually shows that you’re expendable – not dependable – and people will take for granted that you’ll “always be there” for any little things that come up. Even though family comes first, stay true to your business hours and resist urge to chat with friends or pick up groceries during working hours.
2. Your friends may consider “working from home” an invitation to chat during day or just go out for coffee or shopping for an afternoon. Make it clear that your business hours are just that – for business. Leave personal calls for after-hours, and you’ll find that your friends will gradually accept your schedule without feeling slighted.
3. Just because you have to set up a work schedule, doesn’t mean that you have to keep same hours as everyone else. One of benefits of working for yourself is setting your own hours to fit your most productive times. Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, you’ll find that you’ll get much more done when you’re attuned to your body’s own natural rhythms. Some people work in morning, take a break in afternoon when kids are home from school, and work again in evening. Schedule your work time when you feel most productive and you’ll find that things get done easier, faster and better than when you were dragging along during those same rigid work hours that everyone else has.
